President

Dr. Martha Ellis, President

Dr. Martha Ellis is in her sixth year as president of Lee College. She has led the college through a major visioning process, capital campaigns, building program, and reoganziation.  She is a commissioner for the Commission on Colleges for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, President of Region XIV for the National Junior College Athletic Association,  and on the Board of Directors for American Association of Community Colleges. Under her leadership Lee College is an Achieving the Dream College and one of 10 colleges and universities chosen to be part of the Clinton Climate Initiative.

Martha serves on the boards of Baytown Chamber of Commerce, the San Jacinto Methodist Hospital, Rotary Club, and the Baytown/West Chambers County Economic Development.  She is actively involved in the economic development strategic planning for the community and is a frequent guest speaker for civic organizations.

Prior to Lee College, Ellis was president at Texas State Technical College in Waco.  For 14 years she held various leadership positions and faculty member at Collin County Community College District, Plano, Texas. She began her professional career at Eastfield College, DCCCD.

In addition to her Ph.D. in higher education from the University of North Texas, Ellis has a Master of Science in Developmental Cognitive Psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas and a bachelor's degree from American Christian College.  She completed post graduate psychology studies at Columbia University as well as an internship at the Albert Ellis Institute in New York and Harvard University.  She has won numerous teaching awards, has scholarly publications, and a presenter at national conferences on leadership development, technology and cognitive development, and partnerships for economic development.

Ellis' husband, Steve, is retired from community college academic leadership and is enjoying tennis, golf, and president of the local Habitat for Humanity, Kiwanis, and the Baytown Library Board. They live in Baytown with their humane society puppy, Charlie.  Steve and Martha have two married sons and one adorable granddaughter.